Chapter 42

Asher's Point Of View

We were at the portal gates of the demons' realm. This was where the Kroma Conclave headquarters was. It was impossible to enter, only top-ranking demons had access to enter, aside from the Conclave.

I slit my palm, pouring my blood on the black crystals, and instantly, a red glow appeared in the middle of the tall black pillars. A portal gateway.

I turned to Cory and Andy, before stepping in. "Stay close,"

I ignored the deafening screams that echoed through the red mist that surrounded us in the portal. They belonged to demon souls from the fiery pit that had been banished there for committing heinous crimes.

After a while, we reached the other end of the portal, stepping out in front of the Night Castle.

"Prince," The warriors guarding this end of the portal gates bowed to me. I didn't fail to notice their surprised gaze.

"The Overlord?" I asked, sharply.

"In a meeting with the Conclave," One of the warriors answered.

I nodded, as we entered inside the Night castle. Just as the name implied, everything about it was black. The walls, the windows, every little thing.

Demons had a strong liking for dark things. Almost as if it was a literal representation of what we were, darkness itself.

"Come in," The Overlord voice rang in my head, telepathically.

I went up the stairs, walking inside the large Court alone. I pushed the tall black crystal doors open. The air in the court was gravely cold.

"Prince Asher," They all called in unison.

I took my seat around the black crystal circle, my eyes gliding from each member that was seated around. This was only half the Conclave.

"What news do you have for us?" The Overlord spoke up.

I pulled out the camera from my leather jacket and handed it to him. "That's the video of their whole activity at the cave. They are abducting humans for a reason, turning them into something horrible. I'm not quite sure what. We were only able to see their failed experiments. They were half-demons and something else,"

"We're you able to question anyone?" One of the members enquired.

"Yes. It's in the second video," I nodded. "They are all following the orders of someone. They call him master. They don't know who he is or where he can be found. He comes to them, and supplies them a serum which is used to create these monsters," I stopped talking, carefully observing everyone in the court.

They weren't asking any questions, it was as if everything I was saying was only confirming a suspicion. "This 'master' is after the Conclave. His goal is to exterminate every one of you," I watched them all. There was grave silence as I finished.

"What else did they tell you?" The Overlord's obsidian eyes narrowed on me.

"That's all we were able to gather," I looked him in the eyes. "Is there something I need to know?"

I had my eyes pinned on the Overlord, but I didn't miss the glances a few members exchanged.

"No. The Conclave will handle everything now, rest assured," He was lying through his teeth. I could tell. There was something they were all not saying. As much as I was curious, I didn't want to get myself in the middle of this. It was their problem and not mine.

I got up. "I'll take my leave now," With that, I left the court, not glancing back.

"Asher," I stopped walking, hearing the Overlord's call behind me. "Thank you for doing this,"

"I couldn't exactly ignore your request," I was honest. I was here because of him. Because he was family.

"I heard about Luca. It's

saddening," He uttered, silence flooded the air between us for a careless minute. "It's good to have you within these walls," We started strolling down the hallway. "Come often—"

I replied sharply, keeping every trail of emotion from my voice and my face stoic. "I'd rather not,"

He stopped walking. His brooded eyes were on me. "You are a Nightblooded royal, Asher. A demon prince, whether you like it or not, you are one of us and part of the Kroma Conclave,"

I couldn't argue with what he said. I remained silent for a second or two, before speaking up. "I want to bind Azalea,"

At my words, his obsidian eyes had a spark of red streak. "You don't have my permission,"

I scoffed. "I wasn't asking for it," I shot back.

We stared heatedly at each other. "You've found your mate," It wasn't a question. He knew.

"Now you understand why,"

He took a deep inhale of breath, before exhaling. "You don't understand Asher, you and I are the only Nightblood left. If something happens to me, you are next to lead the Conclave, to lead our kind,"

"Azalea's is dangerous, you know that. I still can't control him. He's out for blood—" I began.

"Whose blood?"

"My mate," Just hearing the words aloud made my insides clench. "I won't allow that,"

He was speechless for a second. "This isn't just about control. Our demon counterparts are dark beasts, Asher, understand him and you'll figure things out,"

I rolled my eyes. The last thing I needed was a damn lecture. "I thought you of all people would understand. He killed your sister," My words were hurting. I knew that. It reminded him of that night.

His jaw ticked. "Things aren't as it seems, Asher,"

I scoffed. I've had enough. I continued walking away.

"Since you are here, we should attend the Council's meeting together," His deep voice boomed from behind.

I stopped walking, glancing back at him. I didn't miss the emotion that conveyed his words, although his dark eyes held nothing.

"How bad are things?" I asked.

"Bad. Cyrene had a vision. A prophecy about a darkness that threatens us all," He explained.

I've heard some of the details before at the Crescent Moon Pack but this prophecy seems new. "What does it say?"

"It speaks about this darkness and its source. And she will unleash this darkness. It will be literal hell for us all," This prophesy didn't scare him. But something else did.

"What are you worried about, uncle," My voice was surprisingly soft.

"There are more deaths every day. Ranking members of each kind. No one knows who's next, Asher. You are all the Conclave have if something were to happen to me. You must take your seat within the Conclave and the Council,"

I understood everything he said. Everyone was in danger. The Alpha King, the queen, everyone and I wished I could be there but not today. My mate needed me more.

"Some other time uncle, but not today. I have to be somewhere," I couldn't bail on Cirilla today. I just couldn't.

I joined Wren, Andy, and Cory outside the Night castle. It was already evening and there was no time to waste, I had to head back to the pack.

Back to Cirilla.

I had to make sure she was okay. I just didn't like the bad feeling in my chest.

It scared me.

*****

CARSON CITY, NEVADA

(WISCON PALACE)

Cameron's Point Of View

I reached the white doors at the end of the hallway. It was slightly ajar. I stood in front of it, watching my beautiful mate.

She was with Cyrene, standing behind her, while Cyrene was seated before the tall mirror on the dressing table, wearing a beautiful white dress which made me smile a little.

Davina was helping her get ready for the Council's meeting at ten tonight. The look on her face reminded me for a second of who she once was, before all of this. It was sad to see her like this. Having a kind of gift that was a curse. She could barely move, and speak less now. Always staring into space in a daze.

"You look beautiful," I heard Davina whisper into her ears, letting Cyrene's black hair fall on her shoulders.

I walked away, heading to the balcony. I closed my eyes, turning off the voices and even the littlest sounds that buzzed in my ears like a traffic jam. I wanted silence, and even for a second, peace.

Subconsciously, I got lost in a different dimension. In a world where I felt no pain, no loss, desperation, and vulnerability.

Where I was living the best moments of my life with my beautiful mate, my daughter, and my son. Where there was no danger or threat. Where we knew nothing but happiness. What I would give for that world.

I inhaled deeply the mouthwatering sweet scent of vanilla and fresh flowers. I turned around, wrapping my arms around my mate, burying my face in her shoulder-length blonde hair. She was simply divine, capable of making me feel at peace even at this crossroads we were at.

We remained like that, enjoying each other's presence, relishing the warmth of our bodies against each other, sharing in this selfish yearning for one another, for once not speaking about anything.

Not about the Council's futile efforts in finding this source Cyrene spoke of, nor the desperation and frustration we felt as parents unable to find our stolen daughter.

That hurt more than any sword to the chest.

We pulled apart, and I cupped her cheeks, her round blue eyes bored into mine, reaching my soul, and unraveling my deepest fear and pain.

"Cam," She sighed, and before she could speak, I leaned forward, taking her sweet lips in mine. I kissed her slowly, and passionately. It was more than a kiss, it was like our souls connected, and our hearts having a deep conversation.

We pulled apart, panting. With my forehead against hers.

"I have a bad feeling, Cameron," Davina said, and I felt it too. "I feel so scared for her," She shut her eyes and tears glided down her tender cheeks.

"Nothing will happen, love. With my life, I will protect her. I swear to you," I wiped her tears, wrapping my arms around her.

"It's ten, already," She whispered. It was time for the Council meeting.

Davina and I joined everyone at the Supreme Court. As usual, it was filled with ranking members.

I took my seat beside Rhona, while Davina went to Cyrene, helping her to settle into one of the seats. She was here, but everyone could tell her mind wasn't. Her weary gaze was stuck on her crystal stone. It was glowing white.

That crystal stone and her were inseparable. It always glowed white when she was with it. It's white glow represented her magic, her life force.

The meeting began shortly. Sammael and a few warriors reported to the Council their futile search for the source. Whatever spell Mirabel had done led to another dead end like ours.

Whatever spell that was cloaking my daughter from anyone finding her was powerful. Too powerful.

It wasn't Emily's, she was only a siphon witch and wasn't even that powerful. But we couldn't find her either. Not her, not Jasmine, not my little girl.

Last night an elder wolf died. And today, well, there haven't been any reports yet. But I could smell the fear from everyone. No one knows who's going to be next.

I heard Vittorio growl in my head, and my amber eyes glided to my mate. Even I was terrified of who was going to be next.

From the look on the Council heads, they were all back to square one.

I almost rolled my eyes. Did they actually think it would be easy to find her?

We have been searching for her for eighteen years and still no luck. Theo and his team and warriors have been moving around tirelessly, going after every lead from those who claimed to know something, hoping to claim the rewards of finding her. But the results were the same. Nothing.

I listened to Elder Zeke speak. I don't know how word about the prophecy and Cyrene's vision got out, but it did. The Council had tried to keep the prophecy from the supernatural world so as not to stir up fear. But now everyone knew about the prophecy.

Good thing no one knew it had to do with my daughter, a Tribrid, many would hunt her down like the Council, some out of fear and others who had grudge against me. Over the years, regretfully, I had gained too many enemies that I had lost count of.

Zeriyah spoke up. She and the witches had tried to learn more about the pyramid symbol and the ancient words that had been seen on every victim so far. They are still unable to find out what the symbol and strange words mean.

"Cyrene!" I heard a loud yell from a member, which broke me out of my thoughts.

My eyes shifted to Cyrene. Everyone's gaze did. She was bleeding profusely from her nose, but still, her eyes were on her crystal ball.

Zeriyah, Mirabel, and Davina were by her side. Almost everyone was up from their seats.

Mirabel grabbed her hand. "What's wrong Cyrene,"

Cyrene crystal ball began to glow white. Tears gathered in her eyes, and her gaze still didn't leave her crystal ball.

"It's the end," Her hands touched the glowing ball and it turned red.

The waters in her eyes turned red and they rolled down her frail cheekbones, leaving a red trail. She was crying blood. "It has begun to rise. It cannot be stopped. She will cast the last spell and finish the last kill. That child will unleash hell,"

"What child? The source?" Zeriyah opened her eyes and my eyes darted back to Cyrene.

"The one birthed with the blessings of the goddess but cursed by her destiny," Cyrene coughed, blood staining her white dress.

My little girl.

Davina's hold on Cyrene's shoulders loosened, gasping. "No,"

"Who is she? How do we find her?" The phoenix king, Xanax sauntered forward, but Cyrene only shook her head, her eyes covered with the red.

"Tell us what do you see about the source and the darkness?"

"I can't," She coughed more, still not taking her eyes off the red glowing ball. Her gaze held pain.

"What do you see now Cyrene?" Elder Walter asked slowly.

The air around was tense. It was thick and foreboding.

A single tear of blood, fell from her eyes, "My death,"

There was a breathless gasp around, and the air around became grave and a biting cold feeling feasted around.

Cyrene screamed loudly in agony. The witches around began to do something. "Nothing can be done, it is my time," Blood spilled out from everywhere, soaking her white dress. The skin on her wrist began to tear open, and a symbol began to form on it.

Her bloody eyes shifted to Davina and she smiled bitterly. "It cannot be helped. It's her fate, the Tribrid princess is the source and she will unleash darkness itself," My heart tightened into a suffocating knot as she groaned in pain, and shock swept through everyone in the Court at her words.

Grabbing Davina's hand, Cyrene placed it on the red glowing ball. Her gaze was bleary and pleading as if demanding forgiveness. "Please, forgive me,"

Something in my ticked and I recognized the sick feeling in my bones. Something wrong was about to happen.

An irate growl tore from my lungs immediately, and I sped to my mate's side, attempting to pull her away from Cyrene's hold but there was a shield surrounding the both of them.

Davina was screaming in pain, and so was Cyrene. The crystal stone began to change color, from a glowing red to white and then to a bright blue. Zeriyah, Rhona, and a few witches tried to tear down the shield but couldn't.

It only disappeared when Cyrene breathed her last, her hands falling from the crystal stone and her head slamming against the table.

I caught Davina in my arms before she collapsed on the floor. She was unconscious with her body burned furiously.

My dark eyes shifted to Cyrene. She was dead. And just like the others, the burned flesh of her wrist formed the pyramid symbol.

Bloody hell!